11 Best Backpacking Tents for Camping Off the Beaten Path

Backpacking is the next level of camping, as you can literally set up shop anywhere your two little feet will lead you. When you wake up as the only group at a high alpine lake with the sun glistening off the water and fog rolling over the peaks, you'll understand why backpackers will trek miles and miles for seclusion.

To be comfortable at your destination, you'll need a tent that's roomy and weatherproof, but you must also consider how small the tent can compress and its weight, as you'll have to carry it in your bag from start to finish. To help you make an informed decision before venturing into the backcountry, we've rounded up the best backpacking tents of 2017.

Note: Most of these tents also include a fast-pitch option that allows you to pitch the rainfly with the footprint (leaving the tent body behind), so you can lighten up your pack.

If campsites with bathrooms, large coolers, and picnic tables are more your speed, check out our review of the best car-camping tents.

There's a reason Big Agnes is at the top of this list. Perfect for backcountry adventures, this two-person tent has the ideal balance of weight (under 3 pounds), interior space, convenience, and functionality. We love how this year's new HV version has a four-way hub pole design that makes the sidewalls nearly vertical, which increases interior space and makes the tent 25% stronger than last year's model. It's rare to find a tent that has two vestibules and enough space for two people to sleep comfortably at under 3 pounds (unless you're willing to spend your entire paycheck), but Big Agnes has found a way!

Winner of Outdoor Gear Lab's Editor's Choice Award for 2017, Nemo's Dagger has made a serious impression on outdoor enthusiasts. The tent is lightweight (under 4 pounds), yet durable and high performance, holding up like a bomb shelter in thunderstorms and high winds. The floorspace is a bit more narrow than many tents (50 inches), but it has extra room at the head and foot (90 inches). Plus, when not in use, this bad boy packs down amazingly small. If you're ready to invest in your backcountry future and you've narrowed it down to a two-person tent, we recommend seriously considering Nemo's Dagger 2P at the top of your list.

While most backpacking tents sacrifice comfort to save ounces, MSR has managed to maximize living space while making a tent that's lightweight and packable. This tent weighs under 4 pounds, and we really dig how there's plenty of space for two people plus gear, thanks to its symmetrical design with two doors and two vestibules. It'll stand strong in heavy storms, so you and your partner will stay dry and ready to conquer long through-hikes and pass after alpine pass.

It's rare to find a freestanding dome tent that's both affordable and lightweight, but we love how Sierra Designs has made it possible for budget campers to backpack. The three-quarter coverage rainfly was designed to save weight, yet provides ample protection from storms, and it can be staked out to create a large vestibule, or removed to watch meteor showers. At just under 3.5 pounds, it's a great ultralight option that won't break the bank.

At just over 2 pounds, the Ghost is the lightest tent in our review, catering to quick-moving, ultralight backpackers. Though it's a bit on the small side, there's plenty of room for a couple and a pup, or three small friends. It takes up barely any space in your pack, is a breeze to set up, and is surprisingly sturdy in strong winds — that's why we love this ultralight tent for longer multiday trips where each night is spent with a different view and weight-saving is a necessity. It's stronger than last year's model, too!

With a full 36 square feet of interior space, this tent has plenty of room for two adults and their gear. Mountainsmith updated the Morrison this year with a new brow pole that adds more headroom inside. It's designed to withstand storms, too, with top-of-the-line waterproofing on the rain fly and tent bottom. With the included footprint, you get a complete package at a surprisingly low price.

A budget-friendly backpacking tent, this two-person option from Kelty is a great buy for value-conscious outdoorspeople. With a shape similar to pricier tents, this one boasts two doors, two vestibules, a wide and fully rectangular floor, and a robust rainfly to keep the interior bone dry. With incredibly easy setup and weighing in at just under 5 pounds, the Chaos 2 is a solid contender in a stacked and ever-evolving lineup.

Don't want to carry for anyone but yourself? This one-man tent is designed for minimalist backpackers who take solo trips or like their privacy when going with a group. Fully taped seams keep moisture away, and high-low ventilation keeps air circulating on those hot and humid days. Sleep well, all by your lonesome, and never again feel pressured to tell your friends, "You can just squeeze into my tent," because they literally cannot.

Affordable yet durable and stormproof, this two-person tent from Kelty is ideal for the occasional backpacker who doesn't want to hustle a side job just to afford the sickest gear. It's not quite ultralight, but at under 5 pounds, it's light enough to carry and packs small enough to leave space in your backpack to lug back some freshly caught trout after a weekend at a high alpine lake. It also comes with a "Stargazing Fly," a half-on, half-off rainfly, so you'll never miss another meteor shower again.

Marmot makes some pretty killer backpacking tents at competitive prices, which is why their Limelight two-man must be considered! At 5.2 pounds, it's definitely on the heavier side, but with that added weight comes luxury. With over 33 square feet of floor space and multiple interior pockets, there's plenty of room for two large humans to spread out with their gear well-organized. Its heavier fabrics also help it stand up strong in storms. Did we mention it has an average of 4.8 stars from over 40 reviews on Backcountry.com?

At just over 5 pounds, this tent may be a bit heavier than most of the others on this list, but it's also significantly more affordable. It also has thicker fabrics that are more durable and more interior space than most. Its external pole architecture is a feature that we love, as it allows you to set it up and stay dry in the rain. The next time you're hunting elk or fishing in remote Alaskan streams, this tent will do the trick.

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